‘Golden Key’ hotel service makes Olympic debut

Xinhua Beijing, July 27 (Xinhua) The renowned “Golden Key ” service made its Olympic debut in Beijing as 36 multilingual chief directors from top hotels across China began to serve as its representatives and provide customer service for the first time. The 36 members, all with credentials of the Union Internationale des Concierge d’Hotel, or the “Golden Key”, were selected out of more than 400 candidates from 15 provinces in China to act as the housekeepers for the media village residents and athletes.

Some 12 people has started their shifts in the media village, which opened Friday, while the remaining began to fulfil their mission in the athletes village which opened here Sunday.

Initiated by a French non-governmental organisation in 1929, the “Golden Key” has developed into the top international standard for hotel service. Candidates have to go through very tough tests to acquire the “Golden Key” medal.

“Most of us have at least five years of hotel service experiences. We speak fluent English and some of my colleagues can speak Italian and Japanese too,” said Zhu Hongliang, one of the 36 members who is located in the Huiyuan media village, which is adjacent to the “Bird’s Nest.”

“Before we arrived at the media village, we received a 15-day-training course in the suburb of Beijing to replenish our knowledge about the city and the Olympics,” Zhu added.

“That increases our understanding of the service to the games and helps us improve our job and provide what is really needed by customers,” he said.

Since the Huiyuan media village saw the registration of only one-fifth of the village residents, Zhu’s job is relatively easy.

“After August 5 when most of the reporters will enter into the village, we will be struggling with a very packed schedule then, but with no regret,” said the 27 year-old Hangzhou native. Xinhua